.exe files

Hello
I needed a disc for a program as the program came preinstalled.
When I format, I want a disc to reinstall the program.

I found the file and downloaded it to desktop - it is an .exe file.
I opened my burner software and chose to 'burn files on dvd'.

It burned a dvd.
I did not want to remove the program from the pc yet as I will format later

To see if it was ok I installed the new dvd and after it hummed for a minute it began to ask if I wanted to repair, remove or enter the 25 characters.

I stopped at this point. I have the key but did not want to install yet.

Does this procedure sound right for burning the exe file to dvd so I can later install the program after formatting?
Thank you.

 

I always just save downloaded installation files to a folder on an external drive but if you don't have such a drive then that sounds OK. Shame to waste a whole DVD on a single file though.

 

I do have room on a external drive for many folders; I will put such a folder there as it is a good, current idea.
I guess I was back in the day when you used discs to install programs after formatting.
Actually I really wanted confirmation that my disc would allow me to install the program after formatting and it seems to be the case.
I did not know if I could burn an .exe file to disc; I thought it had to be an iso file.
MS Office came preloaded and I wanted to be sure I had my hands on the program because of its importance.
My pc only uses the 64 bit although the 32 bit is recommended. We tried many times to install the 32 bit with no success.
Dell shipped Office Home and Student 2010 but I can only use some of it like Word and the spreadsheet etc.
Outlook, for example, is not usable.
Thank you sir.

 

Hi Plodr
Dell has an option to go to their site, sign in with your service tag and there is a very puny list of preloaded apps. There were about three for me and none I was interested in. Roxio etc.
I did make the dvds when I got the pc but that was for Win 7.
I am now running Win 8.
I don't think I can use a different os to get a program.

I was asking for confirmation that the disc I made would install Office.
I think so but was a bit anxious about it.
Earthling did not seem to find fault so I fell better about it.
I thought only iso files could be downloaded, burned to dvd and used to install a program.
Thank you
Peter

 

This is the reason way i buy flash drive sticks and put all of my music and programs,.exe and wordpad on a 40 gig stick safe and secure.

Instead of wasting CD's

 

Actually I rarely burn a disc but Office was important to have on hand and keep in my disc carrying case. I too have usb flash drives that I keep my data on. I keep my data like passwords on them but always use two as the likelihood of two breaking at the same time is remote.
RW discs are only used occasionally; usually I use a regular disc
I have 2 external drives that I keep my images on. I have images of each pc on each drive appropriately labeled so if one external drive goes I will have the image of either pc on the other.
I make believe a rive will fail that way I am not disappointed.

I guess my original post is answered a being valid..